BANGKOK — Thai tourist police have arrested a British man accused of illegally operating a tour company and leading foreign visitors through national parks across Thailand for more than a decade, authorities said.
The arrest was made as part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet to combat crimes affecting the tourism industry and to strengthen tourist safety during the peak travel season from Dec. 17 to 25, 2025.
Investigators identified the suspect as Nicholas, 53, a British national, who police say had been running unlicensed tours in Thailand for over 10 years. Under Thai law, tour operations require official authorization, and foreigners are prohibited from working without a valid work permit. Authorities said the illegal operation caused more than 10 million baht ($318,270) in losses to the tourism industry over the past decade.
Thai tourist police released an image showing Nicholas, a 53-year-old British man, paying the entrance fee at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province on behalf of tour clients.Police said undercover officers monitored Nicholas during multiple trips and found that he independently organized tour programs, drove vehicles himself and acted as the tour guide without any licensed Thai staff accompanying the groups. His tours reportedly focused on wildlife viewing in several national parks, including Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province.
According to police, Nicholas arranged accommodation, meals and transportation, covered all expenses upfront and later charged clients through his personal website. Authorities said his online platforms advertised 18-day tours covering five provinces, which had been repeatedly offered over many years.
Thai police question a 53-year-old British man at Lad Krabang Police Station in Bangkok after his arrest at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Dec. 18, 2025. He is suspected of illegally operating a tour business in Thailand for more than a decade.Police warned that the unlicensed operations posed risks to both the tourism industry and tourist safety, particularly because driving routes within national parks require trained and authorized personnel due to challenging terrain.
Officers arrested Nicholas on December 18 at Suvarnabhumi Airport after he dropped off a group of tourists. During questioning, he was unable to produce a tour operator’s license or a valid work permit.
He was charged with operating a tour business without authorization, an offense punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 baht, as well as working illegally as a foreign national. He was transferred to Lat Krabang police station for further legal proceedings.
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